Disaster Relief Fund

Disaster Relief Fund is sponsored by North Carolina Community Foundation. The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund supports long-term recovery, addresses unmet needs, and builds community resilience and preparedness for future disasters in North Carolina communities impacted by disasters.

NCCF Disaster Relief Fund | Long-term disaster recovery NCCF Disaster Relief Fund NCCF Disaster Relief Fund Hurricane Helene Response As we award grants from our Disaster Relief Fund for long-term Hurricane Helene recovery, we continue to encourage donations to support western North Carolina.

Donate to the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund Hurricane Helene Recovery The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund supports long-term recovery, addresses unmet needs and builds community resilience and preparedness for future disasters. At this time, contributions will be used to support Hurricane Helene recovery.

When and how the fund is activated Disaster Relief Fund History The fund provides grants to eligible charitable organizations and government entities in North Carolina communities impacted by disasters.

The Disaster Relief Fund: Supports long-term recovery Addresses needs that are not being met by other resources Helps communities build community resilience and preparedness for future disasters The fund is not used to support the immediate disaster response. Instead, it focuses on recovery and rebuilding after the initial crisis.

The Disaster Relief Fund can be activated for events such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, acts of terrorism or mass violence. NCCF’s statewide Grants Committee determines whether to activate the Fund by considering: The severity of the disaster The geographic area affected The needs of communities and the availability of adequate relief and recovery resources Once the fund is activated, NCCF begins fundraising.

All donations are tax-deductible. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Hilty) The North Carolina Community Foundation has played a role in supporting long-term disaster relief and recovery since its founding over 35 years ago. A dedicated fund for disaster relief was established in 1999 after Hurricane Floyd.

Over the last 15 years, the fund has provided $26 million to support long-term disaster recovery in North Carolina communities. Recent efforts include: 2024 – Hurricane Helene: As of August 2026, nearly $22 million has been allocated to support long-term recovery in western North Carolina. $33 million has been contributed and grantmaking is ongoing.

2018 – Hurricane Florence: 153 grants totaling $3. 25 million were awarded to affected communities. 2016 – Hurricane Matthew: 76 grants totaling $768,000 were awarded to support recovery.

All money raised is distributed through grants to eligible charitable organizations or government entities supporting long-term recovery in the affected areas. Gifts to the fund that are restricted in any way – for example, to a specific county or for a particular expense – are discouraged but may be accepted based upon review of NCCF staff to ensure feasibility. The NCCF Grants Committee determines where and how funds are allocated.

Funding strategies can include: NCCF affiliate community foundations In most disasters, NCCF’s affiliate community foundations play a critical initial role in assessing needs in the impacted areas. The affiliate advisory boards are comprised of people who live and work in the affected communities. They know the local needs and can connect with grant-eligible organizations and make grant recommendations to NCCF.

Statewide/regional efforts Some grants support organizations working in multiple counties or on region-wide recovery efforts. These grants are managed by NCCF staff with oversight from the Grants Committee.

NCCF Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarship The Grants Committee may elect to support this scholarship fund for students from affected areas whose ability to access higher education has been negatively impacted due to the disaster. Each disaster brings unique challenges, needs and opportunities. NCCF staff continuously research and recommend new ways to support long-term recovery and preparedness.

Disaster Relief Fund News More Disaster Relief Fund News NCCF awards Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarships to students impacted by Hurricane Helene The North Carolina Community Foundation has awarded Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarships to 14 graduating high school seniors from seven western North Carolina counties,… NC Community Foundation awards $9M in grants for long-term recovery from Helene The North Carolina Community Foundation has awarded 108 grants totaling $9 million from its Disaster Relief Fund to support long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

The… NCCF’s Disaster Relief Fund supports ongoing legal help after Helene More than a year after Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina, many of the challenges facing residents are very different.

Often it is… Supporting small businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene When Hurricane Helene hit Chimney Rock, Shari Cummings and her family were asleep in the building they had called their home and business for… Give to the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund All donations are tax-deductible. At this time, contributions will be used to support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.